Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-10-30
CRADDOCK HOUSE,
twH. GUSHING BAMBURGH.l

~
Massachusetts claims more real opu-
tcnce t6f historic interest than. any
other section of the country, and
probably little so edifying to many
New Englanders as the old residence
OF Governor Craddock, i'll New Med
ford.
The Craddock House, built in. 1855
fer she first Governor of the Massa-
chusetts Company, is of brick, with
sloping roof of worm-eaten and moss
covered shingles, low front door, I,
si,rodgh. which the weary feet OF Win
fhrop and Endicott and their co-work-
ers ser freedom from the bondage
England imposed upon their sect have
ojtel !, passed, 1t is a spot
Cor ;, memorable associations to
crowd, upon the thoughtful
mind but there is little remain
ing Eitllin to remind one of the age
worn days--a stray pothook, dis
nantIed rnusket, great chimney
piecc, perhaps, and the solemn, Puri-
tailicai majesty OF the house itself.
Such old relics Of our forefathers as
Mis Craddock House breed sympathy
Tor the causes, that led their builders
TO migrate to, this country; they in
spire patriotism; and the old walls in
their. massiveness and compactness
plead loyalty to God, and teach the
Virtues Of sobriety, toll and self-de-
nial. Such antiquity is to be honored;
such models are to be cherished; such
lessons are to be needed. The sever
fty. OF those would be forgotten days,
when religion and warfare protected
one another, was not too bitter, pain
fuf as it proved to be.
II was cool, calm September
morning in 1914 that We look upon at
the outset OF this story. The broad
fields, with a few cattle that had been
browsing along the banks of the Mys-
bic, now being driven along to the
pasture yonder by the chesnut trees;
Che fires from the Turkey Swamp
eoursing upward and drifting. and
ciouding the warm blue OF the sky,
the Sad, solitary stiffness of the
sparse settlement, all tended to i'm
press the wild beauty upon the hearts
oi Mathew Cradock and Damaris, his
daughter, who stood at the Threshold
awaiting the usual arrival of some
settler for aid, counsel or privilege.
Was it right for Damaris TO wish
hetstA safely housed in the fine man
sion in London, where no fear of dan
ger ever had fingered in her young
heartf Now, it was a life of constant
anxiety she hardly dared show her
face to the open air save while her
father vas by her side, and even then,
The childish fear that takes SO long to
fade from the hearts Of the pure and
good, led her unconsciously to grasp
her fathers hand, looking up betimes
and gathering renewed courage from
the kindly face that showed u heart of
ENTERPRISE and endurance and stern
bravery. Twas that sacred love for
her fsther, who had told her again
and again that he fought for her free
dom and hoped to die for her,
that had guided her in choosing this
solitary, life. for her father had given
ker tho choice OF remaining in London.
The, two seemed like lovers, so de-
voted were they in their affection, and
their fidelity knew no limits, exchang-
Ing cawsses, lavishing all the sweet
pess tbat frank girlhood and proud
fafher's love could conjure up, max
ing their lives one constant worship
aud communion, fostering charity
and promoting that kindness in the
Governor which is chronicled in his
toryIa fairness of judgment and a
trust in all that would trust in him.
He possessed a ready temper, how
ever, was quickly angered at a slight
wrong, but his daughter was one who
could console him, with soothing
words and caresses. S.
Tho morning passed uneventually at
the old Garrison House, until the time
Tor the return of the cattle, when
Mathew, who always saw to their ar
rival himself, espied huge black spots
on the sides OF his precious COWS, and
he became very angry. Rushing out
TO the serving man, he grabbed him
by the long sash about his waist, and
exclaimed:
POUNDS, man! know ye not that
these cattle are all that we have?
And yet thou dost let them stray upon
public commons and be branded with
pitch. Yea, and furthermore, they be
Governors stock! Curses be upon
thee; but see that it occurreth not
again." and he ordered the cattle to be
driven TO the river and washed as soon
as possible.
"Sir," said the servant doffing his
hat and making motion of detaining
the great London merchant settler:
"there are tidings among the people
down by the commons that traveller
evidently from the distance, had come
asking for Governor Mathew Cradock
and was lodged by Goodman Abram
Novel; last night. Twas he that
sent the message hither by me, and
added in warning that we be prepared
against the invitation by one who
looks half Indian and half English
man.
The thought of this suspicious ar
rival was lingering in the mind Of the
Governor as lie knelt at the settle by
the huge fireplace, which was heaped
UP with logs in readiness for the next
winters. warmth, and prayed for de-
liyerance from all impending dangers
and guidance in the reception and ac-
complishment of all duties. i,
Daniaris had taken the candle and
was half way UP the staircase, light
ing her mother Is way to bed, and had
stopped for reply TO her fathers ques-
lion as to the following days work
ship';, when the great brass knocker
creaked and resounding thud an
nounccd the arrival OF some one, eyi-
jently upon urgent business. such
3wakenings were not uncommon 1T
be tort, for the Governor had author
ity over all things, and was always
first appealed to. Damaris stopped
IA her i eech, her mother looked an